Surgical Technologist Salary in Erie, PA: $63,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Erie, PA earns a median $63,704/year (≈ $30.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Erie's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $70,043 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for surgical technologists in Erie, Pennsylvania, stands at $63,704 annually, which is approximately 6.51% below the national median of $68,141. The salary range for these professionals varies widely, from $49,275 at the 10th percentile to $78,154 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse qualifications and certifications available in the field. With the increasing trend of robotic surgery certifications, surgical technologists who specialize in this area can anticipate higher compensation. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, underscoring the job market's evolution in Erie, where specialized skills are becoming increasingly valuable.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,275 | $23.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,023 | $24.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,704 | $30.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,434 | $31.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,154 | $37.58 |
Median Salary Position
6.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, PA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,879 (2026 est.). At $63,704, the local median is 6.51% below the national median of $68,141.
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At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be above the median
How Erie Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Erie median: $63,704/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $65,674 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -6.51% less |
Surgical Technologists in Erie, PA earn a median of $63,704 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.51% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 3.00% below the Pennsylvania state average of $65,674.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, PA has a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $63,704 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,043 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,080
2025 BLS Actual
$60,440
2026 Current Est.
$63,704
2019–2027 Growth
+67.5%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,144 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 50.8% from $40,080 (2019) to $60,440 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,144 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,064 (67.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.40% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $49,275 – $50,023 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,023 – $63,704 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,704 – $66,434 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,434 – $78,154 |
Surg Tech, CST salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual surgical technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Surgical Technologist Job Market in Erie
In Erie, around 100 surgical technologists are currently employed, suggesting a robust local job market. The cost of living index for Erie is 90.95, which positions the city below the national average and positively influences the purchasing power of surgical technologists' salaries. Among local employers, surgical positions in hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers—such as those focusing on orthopedic and ophthalmology procedures—tend to offer the highest pay. Variations in compensation can be attributed to specialty skills, such as those required for cardiovascular or neurosurgery, as well as factors like call coverage, the certification stipend for robotic surgery, and the travel surgical tech rates. To maximize earnings in the Erie market, exploring opportunities for advanced certifications and considering roles in high-demand specialties can prove beneficial for surgical technologists looking to enhance their salary prospects.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST
Career Analyst
Jessica has over 10 years of experience as a surgical technologist. She specializes in orthopedic surgical procedures. Jessica works at a community hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,440 for surgical technologistsin the Erie metropolitan area. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.40%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for surgical technologists (SOC 29-2055).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov